Zecotek Commences Manufacture of Solid-state Photo Diodes and Transistors and Targets Emerging Industries of Self-Driving Autos, Agriculture and Genomics

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, October 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Zecotek Photonics Inc. ("Zecotek" or the "Company") (TSX-V: ZMS) (Frankfurt: W1I), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for healthcare, industrial and scientific markets, is pleased to announce that it has initiated the manufacturing of its new generation series of solid-state micro-pixel avalanche photo diodes and transistors (MAPD/T) at the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronics Systems.

A portion of the funds raised in the divisional equity financing announced in June 2018 have been allocated to the manufacturing of the new generation series of solid-state MAPD/T. The Company will move to full production and commercialization to meet the increasing demand for medical imaging, high-energy physics and other industrial applications including an expected increase in joint sale with the LFS scintillation crystal for advanced positron emission tomography (PET) medical scanners.

"We are very pleased to have the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems begin the production of our patented high dynamic range photo detectors," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "This is the first phase to the commercialization of the new generation series of solid-state MAPD/T before moving to full production and commercialization. We are experiencing increased demand from medical imaging, high energy physics and other industrial sectors for applications such as LIDAR for electric and self driven vehicles, due to the significant performance advantages of our MAPD/T."

Zecotek's patented series of solid-state MAPD/T have been modified to improve performance parameters and reduce the cost of manufacture, and now offer significant performance-cost advantages over competing photomultiplier tubes (PMT) and other solid-state, silicon-based photo detectors known as SiPM. Recent changes have reduced the manufacturing cost and improved timing resolution and photon detection efficiency - key characteristics for the new configurations of high resolution PET medical scanners. The solid-state MAPD/T also offer superior recovery time, unique radiation hardness and display of the highest possible linearity, making them prime components for the improved detector designs required in high energy experiments at the Chinese Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) and CERN.

Also reported, as part of the recently announced strategic review undertaken by the board of directors and senior management of the Company, each subsidiary of the Company has been tasked to enhance their intellectual property portfolio to target those markets with immediate needs in fast growing industries. This review has identified new and exciting applications for the solid-state MAPD/T in emerging industries such as self-driving automobiles, agriculture and genomics.

Autonomous Automobiles 

Self-driving cars rely on light detection and ranging (LIDAR) units composed of photosensors. Zecotek's solid-state MAPT photosensors have extremely high resolution with single photon detection, making it an obvious component in the new LIDAR configurations. Zecotek AutoTronics is developing a proprietary LIDAR unit.

Agriculture 

In agriculture, quality control of micro-active elements is key to maintaining the level of potency and nutritional content as advertised and advised for consumption. Zecotek's high-resolution MAPT photosensors combined with other proprietary photonic technologies can play a central role in measurement devices that define and measure the efficacy of extraction of useful elements from various plants, vegetables and fruits. 

Genomics 

The interdisciplinary field of science focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes, has been identified by Zecotek Imaging System as an opportune and ready market. Genomics evolved from a series of experimental and conceptual advances that allowed researchers to decipher the DNA sequences of whole genomes from virtually any organism and Zecotek's MAPD/T are components that can play a significant role in this important field.

About Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems 

MIMOS is Malaysia's premier Applied Research and Development Centre in Information and Communications Technology, Industrial Electronics Technology and Nano-Semiconductor Technology. As a strategic agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), MIMOS contributes to raising Malaysia's competitiveness by pioneering market creation for Malaysian technopreneurs through patentable technology platforms, products and solutions. Over the past 12 years, MIMOS has filed more than 2,000 Intellectual Properties in various technology domains and across key socio-economic areas. Serving a central role in Malaysia's transformation journey and ICT Vision, MIMOS endeavors to create a culture of innovation by nurturing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in the spirit of smart partnerships and inclusive growth models and strategies.

About Zecotek 

Zecotek Photonics Inc (TSX-V: ZMS) (Frankfurt: W1I) (OTCPK: ZMSPF) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance scintillation crystals, photo detectors, positron emission tomography scanning technologies, 3D auto-stereoscopic displays, 3D metal printing, and lasers for applications in medical, high-tech and industrial sectors. Founded in 2004, Zecotek operates three divisions: Imaging Systems, Optronics Systems and 3D Display Systems with labs located in Canada, Korea, Russia, Singapore and U.S.A. The management team is focused on building shareholder value by commercializing over 50 patented and patent pending novel photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances with Hamamatsu Photonics (Japan), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Switzerland), Shanghai EBO Optoelectronics Technology Co. (China), NuCare Medical Systems (South Korea), the University of Washington (United States), and National NanoFab Center (South Korea). For more information visit http://www.zecotek.com and follow @zecotek on Twitter.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what may have been stated.  

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. If you would like to receive news from Zecotek in the future please visit the corporate website at http://www.zecotek.com

For Additional Information Please Contact:
Zecotek Photonics Inc.
Michael Minder
T: +(604)783-8291
ir@zecotek.com